翻译：鲁鹭
审稿：Missy, Daisy
Are you thinking about weaning? Your child may be a few weeks or months old, or may be a breastfeeding toddler. Some mothers decide to continue breastfeeding until the baby outgrows the need. This is called natural weaning or child-led weaning. In modern American society, this is rather unusual. Worldwide, it is the norm. At a typical LLL meeting, you may find many mothers practice this. You can review the FAQ on the benefits of breastfeeding a toddler if this seems right to you.
您在考虑断奶吗？也许您的孩子几周或几个月大了，也许您在哺乳学步儿。有的妈妈决定持续哺乳到宝宝不再有吃奶的需求为止，这被称作自然离乳或由宝宝主导的离乳。在现代美国社会，这种情况很不常见。从全世界范围看，自然离乳很寻常。在一个典型的国际母乳会聚会上，您可能会发现很多妈妈持续哺乳到自然离乳。如果您正好遇到这样的问题，可以回顾母乳会网站上（www.llli.org）的“常见问答”栏目中哺乳对学步儿的益处。
If weaning still seems like the answer for you, ask yourself a few questions. Are you still in the early weeks, and experiencing difficulties with breastfeeding? Maybe you’d like to breastfeed longer, but feel overwhelmed or are actually experiencing discomfort. Remember that the American Academy of Pediatrics supports findings that babies do best when breastfed at least a year, and don’t hesitate to call your local La Leche League Leader if you are having problems! She can help you with any difficulties you may experience. Sometimes just talking to an experienced mother who has “been there,” who understands what you’re going through, can be so helpful. All LLL Leaders have breasted at least one baby, for at least one year.
如果对您来说，答案仍然是希望断奶，那么再问自己一些问题。您是否才开始哺乳几周，并且在哺乳时遇到了困难？也许您打算喂得久一些，但感觉不堪重负，或者哺乳时感到不舒服。美国儿科学会研究发现，吃母乳至少一年对婴儿的发育最有益，当您遇到问题时，请毫不犹豫地联系当地的国际母乳会哺乳辅导！哺乳辅导可以帮助您去解决哺乳中遇到的各种困难。有时，仅仅是和一位“过来人”，即有经验的母乳妈妈聊天也很有帮助，因为她能理解您此刻经历的事情。国际母乳会的所有哺乳辅导都至少母乳喂养过一个孩子，而且至少母乳喂养过一年。
If your child is past the newborn stage, and you want to wean him/her, again, look at your reasons. Are you feeling tied down? Is it difficult to get out of the house alone? You may find that learning to get out and do more with the baby along, will give you a change of pace, and avoid that “trapped” feeling. Try using a sling, or front or backpack, when you go for a daily walk. Getting out of the house, in the fresh air, is a great stress reducer. Make friends with the other new mothers in your LLL group. Getting together during the month, or just phoning or emailing them daily, keeps you connected to the outside world.
如果您的孩子已经过了新生儿阶段，而您想断奶，那么，请再次回顾您希望断奶的理由。您是否感觉被束缚住了呢？很难单独从家中抽身离开？您可能会发现，尝试着带宝宝出门走走，能给自己的生活节奏带来改变，避免出现“被束缚住”的感觉。当您每天外出散步时，试试用一条背巾，或者可以将宝宝背在妈妈胸前(或背后)的婴儿背带。走出房间，呼吸新鲜空气，是很好的减压方式。在您所在的国际母乳会小组上和其他新妈妈交朋友，每个月和她们聚聚，或者只是每天通个电话、发封电子邮件，维持和外界的联系。
Also, when your infant is small, you may find it’s easy to go out on dates with your husband. A breastfeeding baby is portable. You can still go to a restaurant, or the movies. Take turns holding the baby, or pop him in his infant seat, if he’s well fed and content. Many babies will breastfeed right to sleep in a dark movie theater.
还有，当您的婴儿还很小时，您也许会发现和先生外出约会是件很容易的事。一个母乳宝宝是很容易随身携带的，您依然可以去餐厅吃饭或看电影。您可以和先生轮流抱着宝宝，如果宝宝吃饱了并且很满足，您还可以把他放到婴儿座椅里。在黑暗的影院里，很多宝宝吃着奶会睡着。
Are you feeling pressure from other family members, (often one of the baby’s grandmothers) or friends to wean now? Someone who didn’t breastfeed at all, or only for a few weeks, may not understand the health benefits of breastfeeding for a longer period. Look up our FAQ on Dealing with Criticism for ideas.
您是否从其他家庭成员(通常是宝宝的外婆或奶奶)，或朋友那里感到“立刻断奶”的压力？有些人从未有过哺乳经历，或仅哺乳几周，不理解长期哺乳的对健康的益处。您可以看看我们母乳会网站（www.llli.org）“常见问答”中关于回应批评的内容。
If you really feel like weaning will make your life easier, imagine the reality. You will still have a baby who needs to be fed. If he is under a year, you will be dealing with the expense and bother of several bottles of artificial milk (formula) a day. And your baby will still want to be close to you and need to be comforted from his busy, sometimes frightening and painful world. Breastfeeding can be a “magic bullet” in your parenting repertoire. It soothes a temper tantrum, sends them off to sleep, feeds a sick baby who may be refusing other foods (no need for Pedialyte!), offers security when you travel, etc. You will still be a parent when you wean, your child will still need you.
如果您确实觉得断奶会让生活更轻松，想象一下断奶后的现实情况。您仍然有一个嗷嗷待哺的宝宝。如果他不满一岁，每天您都要准备好几瓶人造代乳品(配方奶)，既花钱又费事。而且您的宝宝仍然想要亲近您，需要您在他忙碌，时而惊恐或疼痛的小世界里提供安慰。母乳喂养堪称您育儿技能中的“灵丹妙药”。它可以平复怒气，哄宝宝入睡，喂饱一个拒绝其他食物的生病宝宝(不需要额外补充电解质！)，当您旅行时提供安全感，等等。即便离乳，您仍然是宝宝的家长，宝宝仍然需要您。
If you’re really feeling burnt out and resentful, one thing to try is a mother’s helper. Young girls, age nine or ten, and up, can often be found in your community, to entertain your baby while you are in the house, so you can rest or get some things done. The baby can be brought to you to breastfeed when needed. These young ladies can be surprisingly maternal and responsible. And babies often love them to pieces, since they’re so playful.
如果您确实感到精疲力尽和厌烦，值得尝试的方案之一是找一位育儿帮手。小女孩，9-10岁或年龄更大，在您的社区里应该很常见，当您在家时可以请她们来陪宝宝玩，这样您可以休息，或做点其他的事。当宝宝想吃奶时，她们可以把宝宝送过来。这些小淑女们有着令人惊讶的母性和责任心。宝宝们通常也爱她们，因为小姐姐们很好玩。
The benefits of breastfeeding last as long as the child is nursed and often longer. This is the greatest parenting stress reducer of all!
母乳喂养的益处不仅在哺乳期持续存在，而且可以延续更久。母乳喂养是最棒的育儿压力减负器！
A useful resource is The Nursing Mother’s Guide to Weaning, by Kathleen Huggins and Linda Ziedrich, available from the LLLI Online Store. Also see our collection of LLL Web resources on weaning.
一个有用的资源是《哺乳妈妈的离乳指南》，作者为Kathleen Huggins 和Linda Ziedrich，国际母乳会英文网站上的在线商城中有售。同时，您可以通过国际母乳会的网页，获取更多有关离乳的资源。
http://www.llli.org/faq/wean.html